The Pick My Movie Tag is back, guys, and it won't be the last time this year. This go-round, J-Dub of Dubsism nominated me (thank you, J-Dub!) because backsies are not only acceptable but encouraged. The challenge, should I choose to accept it, is to review a movie everyone likes but I can't stand. While … Continue reading An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
We all know that during the war bond sales were huge. Reminders to buy war bonds were literally everywhere from magazines to ads to the ending credits of movies to billboards. My hometown paper used the words, "Buy War Bonds" so often that it was practically a design element. Anything that could carry text was … Continue reading During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Between 1941 and 1942 America's military went from approximately 1.8 million to almost four million, and by the end of the war around twelve million Americans were in the Armed Forces. The popular myth about the United States in the period immediately following Pearl Harbor is that recruitment offices were jammed with volunteers, but according … Continue reading During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Sold: The 1970 MGM Auction
*Insert lion's roar here* There's no such thing as being too big to fail. MGM was always one of the biggest and most successful studios in Hollywood, but when they fell, they fell hard. Not that it was a surprise to anyone in the post-Production Code, post block-book era, seeing as MGM's fortunes had been … Continue reading Sold: The 1970 MGM Auction
During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Hollywood had a little appeasement issue early in the Second World War; namely, they avoided a certain four-letter word starting with "N" and ending in "I." It was no secret what the Nazis and their friends were up to. Everyone knew they were committing atrocities against the Jewish people and anyone else who went against … Continue reading During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
During World War Two: Serious Days
Well, folks, we're happy to be back with you again, and on behalf of the Johnson Wax people and our cast, may we say that we're not unconscious of the fact that these are serious days. --Jim Jordan of the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show, September 5, 1939. On September first, Britain declared war … Continue reading During World War Two: Serious Days
What the Code Means To Me
Tiffany and Rebekah at Pure Entertainment Preservation Society are the blogging world's co-queens of the Production Code. Parsing it, analyzing it, giving it context--these ladies know the Code inside and out, and their mission is to resurrect the Code in today's Hollywood. So when they asked us, their fellow bloggers, what we think of the … Continue reading What the Code Means To Me
The Magic Never Ends
Eighty years ago today (can you believe it?), The Wizard of Oz premiered in theaters. The focal point of the movie is of course, a certain pair of ruby red slippers. The number of slippers made for the film is unknown, and at least five pairs still exist. Discovered in one of MGM's storehouses by costumer Kent … Continue reading The Magic Never Ends
The Wizard of Oz Blogathon: Day Two
Welcome back, everyone! Ready for Day Two? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur7GnxTkS-M Okeydokey, let's jump right into it (Day One's posts can be found here). Sean Munger looks back on his childhood experiences with Oz, as well as the history of the film. Le from Crítica Retrô examines the Song of the Century, "Over the Rainbow" and how the song came … Continue reading The Wizard of Oz Blogathon: Day Two
My Five Flaming Hotties (Plus A Bonus!)
Surprise tag post time... A couple of years ago, Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews and Catherine at Thoughts All Sorts did a Five Flaming Hotties tag, and Gill decided to resurrect it. She's tossed the idea around a few times on Twitter, so I thought I'd have a list ready. I think it speaks for itself, … Continue reading My Five Flaming Hotties (Plus A Bonus!)
Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Full disclosure: I was all set to announce that this would be the last installment in the Origins series, because there are only so many ways to say today's Hollywood mostly stinks. However, that was before I peeked at what's lined up for next year. Put it this way: 2019 may reveal whole new levels … Continue reading Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Le Scandale
Hello, Mr. Burton... Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's love story is the stuff of legend. It's such a sacred tale that it merits hushed, reverent tones in Hollywood, but for the most part it doesn't seem to be a touchable subject by filmmakers. Lifetime tried, though, in their 2012 TV biopic, Liz & Dick,"tried" very much … Continue reading Le Scandale
Semper Fidelis
As I've said before, with many of their bigger stars and directors overseas, Hollywood studios had to get creative as to what kinds of films they made. Actors and actresses who normally played character or supporting roles were commonly moved into lead parts, and one example of this is the 1943 film, Salute To the Marines. Featuring … Continue reading Semper Fidelis
Getting Through
Well, here we are... What if you discovered you or your child had a disability? How would you respond? As humans, we're used to making plans. We like to be in control of what's going to happen next. When those plans get derailed, it feels like the universe is coming apart. Then what? 1995's Mr. Holland's … Continue reading Getting Through
Rita Hayworth and World War Two
Well, hello, Miss Rita... As we've talked about on this blog before, Hollywood threw itself into doing its part during the Second World War. All efforts were vastly appreciated, but some stood out more than others, and one of those was Rita Hayworth. In the early nineteen forties, Rita's star was on a rapid ascent, … Continue reading Rita Hayworth and World War Two
Mr. Breen Goes To the Village
Welcome back, Mr. Breen! Although it's pretty gentrified nowadays, Greenwich Village has a reputation for counter-culturalism and being a haven for artists and other creative types. It's always been a tempting setting for a story, even during the Production Code Era, when an undiluted bohemian Village didn't exactly meet Mr. Breen's standards. 20th Century Fox … Continue reading Mr. Breen Goes To the Village
Poe and Price Together Again
It's October, of course, and time to get spooky. As those of you who have been around this blog know, I like me some Vincent Price, especially his Poe movies. Last year we looked at American International Pictures' The Fall of the House of Usher, and this year we'll see their follow-up, 1961's The Pit and the Pendulum. … Continue reading Poe and Price Together Again
Taking Up Room 